Published: Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 4:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 6:29 a.m.

Continued explosive growth

Thousands of new homes are in the pipeline as builders strain to keep up with the county's population growth. The biggest growth will likely be seen north of the Manatee River, where some 15,000 homes are either being built or have been approved. Another 2,500 homes have been approved for Heritage Harbour south of the river near the Interstate, with plans for a retail center. Lakewood Ranch is gearing for for two upscale commercial centers. Palmetto and Bradenton will also likely add thousands of new units, including many high-end condos, to their skylines.

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More schools coming

The school district will move forward on ambitious construction plans to alleviate crowding in fast-growing parts of the county. This year, the district will start work on five new schools -- four elementary and one middle -- that are slated to open in August 2007. The district will also begin construction on classroom additions at 10 schools that should be ready this August. Construction and other capital projects account for more than half of the district's $821 million budget this year. The Manatee County School Board will decide whether to ask voters to approve a property tax for schools.

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North River growth

A dozen developments of varying sizes are in the planning stages or are preparing to break ground from the Interstate 275 interchange and northward along I-75. If all of them are built, it will mean 15,000 new homes for the now rural area. One of the larger projects, Gateway North, is expected to include 2,000 single-family homes, 600 town houses and duplexes, a shopping center, several community clubhouses, tennis courts and swimming pools.

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Busy downtown Bradenton

Construction cranes will dot the downtown Bradenton skyline this year as work proceeds on several major projects. The biggest downtown job is the new justice center, which will rise nine stories and cost $70 million. Just a few blocks away, two towers holding 106 condos will be going up at the long-vacant old city hall site on 15th Street West. The project will also include a bank, 10,000 square feet of retail, 60,000 square feet of office space, a parking garage and a sprawling rooftop garden.

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Murder trials scheduled

Several high-profile murder cases are expected to go to trial this year. Jeffrey Pompey and Darrell Mitchell are scheduled to go to court in February. Pompey is accused of shooting a clerk and a customer at a convenience store in 2002. Authorities say Mitchell strangled to death an East Manatee woman in 2004. The state's death penalty case against Gary Michael Cloud, accused in the stabbing death of a former actress, is scheduled to begin in March. The trial of Blaine Ross, 23, who authorities say beat his parents to death with a baseball bat, could begin in the summer. Two other high-profile defendants -- Richard Henderson, 20, who is accused of killing four family members, and Clifford Davis, 19, accused of killing his mother and grandfather -- are expected to go to trial in 2007.

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Mobile homes lost

Scores of mobile home residents were forced to move in 2005 and even more could be looking for new homes this year as builders gobble up the properties for pricier developments. At the Bowlees Creek trailer park 61 mobile home owners got eviction notices in September after the park was sold. Residents of Bradenton Tropical Palms own their 43-acre park, and have put it up for sale. They're asking $88 million, and are getting a number of serious inquiries.

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Sheriff, elections office moving

A former office building near the DeSoto Square Mall will serve as a new headquarters for the Sheriff's Office and supervisor of elections and possibly a new Emergency Operations Center and traffic management facility. The 139,000-square-foot building, which sits on 12.8 acres, had housed 500 employees of Gevity HR.

<p>Close to home, here are the top stories in Manatee County to look for in 2006:</p><p>______</p><h3>Continued explosive growth</h3>
<p>Thousands of new homes are in the pipeline as builders strain to keep up with the county's population growth. The biggest growth will likely be seen north of the Manatee River, where some 15,000 homes are either being built or have been approved. Another 2,500 homes have been approved for Heritage Harbour south of the river near the Interstate, with plans for a retail center. Lakewood Ranch is gearing for for two upscale commercial centers. Palmetto and Bradenton will also likely add thousands of new units, including many high-end condos, to their skylines.</p><p>______</p><h3>More schools coming</h3>
<p>The school district will move forward on ambitious construction plans to alleviate crowding in fast-growing parts of the county. This year, the district will start work on five new schools -- four elementary and one middle -- that are slated to open in August 2007. The district will also begin construction on classroom additions at 10 schools that should be ready this August. Construction and other capital projects account for more than half of the district's $821 million budget this year. The Manatee County School Board will decide whether to ask voters to approve a property tax for schools.</p><p>______</p><h3>North River growth</h3>
<p>A dozen developments of varying sizes are in the planning stages or are preparing to break ground from the Interstate 275 interchange and northward along I-75. If all of them are built, it will mean 15,000 new homes for the now rural area. One of the larger projects, Gateway North, is expected to include 2,000 single-family homes, 600 town houses and duplexes, a shopping center, several community clubhouses, tennis courts and swimming pools.</p><p>______</p><h3>Busy downtown Bradenton</h3>
<p>Construction cranes will dot the downtown Bradenton skyline this year as work proceeds on several major projects. The biggest downtown job is the new justice center, which will rise nine stories and cost $70 million. Just a few blocks away, two towers holding 106 condos will be going up at the long-vacant old city hall site on 15th Street West. The project will also include a bank, 10,000 square feet of retail, 60,000 square feet of office space, a parking garage and a sprawling rooftop garden.</p><p>______</p><h3>Murder trials scheduled</h3>
<p>Several high-profile murder cases are expected to go to trial this year. Jeffrey Pompey and Darrell Mitchell are scheduled to go to court in February. Pompey is accused of shooting a clerk and a customer at a convenience store in 2002. Authorities say Mitchell strangled to death an East Manatee woman in 2004. The state's death penalty case against Gary Michael Cloud, accused in the stabbing death of a former actress, is scheduled to begin in March. The trial of Blaine Ross, 23, who authorities say beat his parents to death with a baseball bat, could begin in the summer. Two other high-profile defendants -- Richard Henderson, 20, who is accused of killing four family members, and Clifford Davis, 19, accused of killing his mother and grandfather -- are expected to go to trial in 2007.</p><p>______</p><h3>Mobile homes lost</h3>
<p>Scores of mobile home residents were forced to move in 2005 and even more could be looking for new homes this year as builders gobble up the properties for pricier developments. At the Bowlees Creek trailer park 61 mobile home owners got eviction notices in September after the park was sold. Residents of Bradenton Tropical Palms own their 43-acre park, and have put it up for sale. They're asking $88 million, and are getting a number of serious inquiries.</p><p>______</p><h3>Sheriff, elections office moving</h3>
<p>A former office building near the DeSoto Square Mall will serve as a new headquarters for the Sheriff's Office and supervisor of elections and possibly a new Emergency Operations Center and traffic management facility. The 139,000-square-foot building, which sits on 12.8 acres, had housed 500 employees of Gevity HR.</p><p>______</p>